Jiangnan Shipyard Building LNG Industrial Chain

By Wang Sun

Jiangnan Shipbuilding (Group)Co., Ltd. and Gasfin Development S. A.construction contract for a 28000 cubic meter liquefied natural gas floating re-gasification unit (LNG-FRU) has come into effect recently. After the LNG-FRU is delivered, terminal regasification trials will be conducted in Africa to serve local infrastructure.The LNG-FRU has a total length of 94.9 meters and a molded breath of 38.4 meters, classified with the French Classification Society (BV), equipped with four 6L34DF dual fuel generators,two 14000 cubic meters of cylindrical tanks, five sets of regasification modules, and the capacity of regasification is up to 335 tons per hour. It is the type C tank small-andmedium-sized FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) of the largest ever regasification capacity.

This order acceptance is not only the first single breakthrough in LNG-FRU ship form in Jiangnan Shipbuilding, but also a breakthrough in the construction of a large nine nickel steel type C liquid tank (with a capacity of 14000 cubic meters in a single tank). Jiangnan Shipbuilding,which has nearly 30 years of experience in the construction of LPG ships, has formally entered the field of LNG-FSRU construction. At the same time, the contract coming into effect,following the delivery of CNOOC's 30000 cubic meter LNG carrier and the construction of a membrane fuel tank of CMA-CGM 22000TEU container ship, and two 80000 cubic meters of membrane LNG vessels, is an important symbol of Jiangnan Shipbuilding consolidation and strengthening of the LNG industry chain.

It is reported that small FSRU without self-propelled capacity has become a hot market in recent years, and many emerging markets urgently need such custom-sized small and medium-sized FSRU to significantly reduce the cost of local LNG infrastructure. Compared with the traditional large-scale self-propelled FSRU (about 170000 cubic meters of standard LNG ship plus regasification unit), the small FRU with no selfpropelled capacity is matched with the second-hand large LNG ship,characterized by low comprehensive cost, flexible use and short construction period, etc. Compared with the regasification facilities for land use, it has the advantages of high flexibility and easy transfer. It is the type C tank small-and-medium-sized FSRU of the largest ever regasification capacity.After the LNG-FRU is delivered,terminal regasification trials will be conducted in Africa to serve local infrastructure. This order taking is not only the first single order breakthrough of Jiangnan Shipbuilding in LNG-FRU ship form, but also an important symbol to consolidate and strengthen the LNG industry chain.

On September 13, Jiangnan Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. “LPG ship family” gave birth to a new member -- the first ship of “PONY 13P” series was successfully launched. This series of ships is 13000 cubic meters of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier. It is the first ship built for African shipowners in Jiangnan Shipbuilding, and is also a new type of ship developed, design and built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding independently.

The ship is a semi-cold semipressure LPG carrier with a total length of 146m, a molded breath of 21.6m, a scantling draft of 7.6m, and a scantling draught DWT of 9500 tons, classified with the French Classification Society(BV), meeting the most stringent IMO Tier III emission requirements and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases (IGC Code).The ship, which carries three selfdeveloped separate twin ear tanks and three reliquefaction systems,is expected to be delivered after gas testing this year.

The “PONY 13 P” series ships are built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding for Algerian HYPROC Company. In the bidding process, Jiangnan Shipbuilding meticulously grasped the balance between market development and risk control, finally stood out in the fierce competition, won the shipowner's trust and successfully signed the contract.The successful construction of this type of ship not only adds a new member to the "liquefied gas ship family"in Jiangnan Shipbuilding, but also lays a good foundation for the further development of Jiangnan Shipbuilding in Africa.